Former WVU assistant returns to help offense

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Dana Holgorsen finalized his staff at West Virginia Thursday, officially announcing Lonnie Galloway will serve as assistant head coach and wide receivers coach.

The hire marks a return to Morgantown for Galloway, who was a member of the late Bill Stewart's staff for three seasons from 2008-10.

Holgorsen noted the respect players had for Galloway when he coached the Mountaineers.

"We are excited to welcome Lonnie back to West Virginia," said Holgorsen in a statement. "During his three years here, our players had great respect for him, and he brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm with him to work every day. I look forward to the positive infusion his coaching and recruiting will bring to our program."

Galloway spent the past two seasons at Wake Forest as receivers coach and passing game co-coordinator and said he was happy to return to West Virginia.

"I enjoyed my previous three years living in Morgantown and working for West Virginia University. I am pleased and excited to have the opportunity to return," Galloway said in a statement.

"This is a strong and successful program with a lot of history and tradition, and hopefully I can make a positive impact. I look forward to coaching in the Big 12 and in [c]oach Holgorsen's offensive system."

Galloway was hired swiftly after the departure of quarterbacks coach Jake Spavital last week, who left for Texas A&M.

Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, who previously coached the receivers, will coach the quarterbacks.

Galloway completes the three hires Holgorsen needed to make after firing cornerbacks coach Daron Roberts and longtime assistant Steve Dunlap, who handled the outside linebackers and served as special teams coordinator.

Earlier this week, the school officially announced Holgorsen brought in East Carolina defensive coordinator Brian Mitchell to coach the cornerbacks, and Tony Gibson, another former member of the staff, to coach the safeties.

Galloway is considered to be a strong recruiter, and most notably snagged receiver/running back Tavon Austin for the Mountaineers and former defensive end Bruce Irvin, now in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks.

In his time at West Virginia, the Mountaineers went 27-12 with three consecutive 9-4 seasons.

The team had one of the best passing offenses in the Big East in 2010.